acting

AK-ting/ˈæk.tɪŋ/

5 meanings of acting

1
stage and filmnoununcountable
The job of performing as a character in plays, films, or TV shows.
Like pretending to be someone else, but as your job.
She studied acting at a small theater school.
He gave up acting to become a director.
UsageUsually no a: study acting, give up acting. Also acting classes.
Similarperforming, performance
Note
2
verb
Present participle and gerund of act, as in “was acting” or “by acting quickly.”
The children are acting in the school play this week.
He kept acting like nothing was wrong.
UsageOften with like or an adjective: acting like a child, acting strange.
3
standing inadjective
Filling another person's role or holding their authority for a short time.
Like the person who fills in for a teacher until the teacher comes back.
She became the acting manager while her boss was sick.
The acting captain led the team for two games.
UsageIt goes just before the job name: acting manager, acting captain.
Similarinterim, temporary, provisional
Oppositepermanent
Note

Less common meanings

4
pretendingnoununcountable
The act of pretending to feel or be something you are not.
Like putting on a mask to hide your real feelings.
His anger wasn't real. It was all acting to get our attention.
She saw through his acting right away.
UsageOften it was all acting or just acting.
Similarpretense, show, sham
5
noun
Something that a person does, an act. Lawyers sometimes use the word this way.

acting is a form of act

act, verb: To do a certain job or serve a certain purpose, sometimes in place of someone else. Full entry

Forms: actacts he/she/itacting -ing formacted past tense, past participle
Spelling: act → acting: add -ing

Practice

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Origin

From the word "act" plus the ending "-ing".

Checked 5 Nov 2026 · 1 fact

Acting is formed from act plus the ending -ing. en.wiktionary.org